Topic : My Other Life

“I first became familiar with the ancient art of making beads from glass — called lampworking — after taking a jewelry class at my local craft store,” says Donna Trull, a nail tech at Studio 413 Salon and Spa in Albany, Ga.

“If you had told me 20 years ago that I would be a bus driver today and would be loving my job, I would have laughed out loud,” says Rebekah Summers, the owner of Perfect 10 Nails inside Don’s Barber Shop in Cadiz, Ky

During the course of a foot treatment, nail tech Ruth Windsor asked her client what type of work she did. “She responded with, ‘I own a doggie daycare facility.’ And I told her, ‘I want to come work with you.’” It was a few years later that Deb Watkins, owner of Canine College, hired Windsor as an administration specialist.

“I never wanted to be in a job that would have me confined to an office pushing paper,” says Jenny Constantine, owner of a mobile nail service called Junique Nails, based in Diego Martin, Trinidad. That’s also one of the reasons behind her other career choice: police officer.

Devonné Franks’ two careers couldn’t be more different. “Instead of making people feel good about themselves and look beautiful, I worry if I’m going to find something on their exam,” say Franks, who works as an MRI technologist in a hospital in Lima, Ohio, and also does nails at Shear Brilliance in Delphos.

Nail tech Leah Holst attributes her cake baking and decorating skills to heredity. “My love of baking started when I was really young,” says Holst, the owner of Luxe Spa in Harriston, Ontario, Canada, as well as ~Layers~ Cakes and Confections by Leah.

“When I’m not doing nails you can find me taking photos,” says Kari Evich, owner of Nails by Kari, located inside Merle Norman, in Covington, Va. With a partner, she also owns a graphic design and photography business called Tayvich Photography.

“Interior decorating is a lot like doing nails. You create, you have your own style and technique, and there’s a before and after. Your interior space can give you confidence and make you feel good about yourself — just like beautiful nails!”